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Podcasts

The IfM Bonn podcast series offers many interesting perspectives on the current situation facing the Mittelstand enterprises. Why don't you have a listen? You can also find the IfM podcasts on Spotify.

Can artificial intelligence address the shortage of skilled workers?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken hold in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Around one in four SMEs in Germany was using AI processes in 2025. In 2024 it was only one in five companies.

But it seems that many companies still find it difficult to decide to use AI. It could, for …

The green transition is only possible with the right balance

In view of the geopolitical challenges, small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany seem unable to emerge from crisis mode. In addition, companies are faced with the task of mastering the ecological transition. In the podcast “The ecological transition can only succeed with the right sense of …

Getting more competitive

Dissatisfaction with local conditions, recessive development in the manufacturing sector, the announcement of US tariffs – the German economy is currently in a difficult economic situation. Renowned representatives from academia and business discuss how the competitiveness of companies can be …

Podcast of the IfM Bonn on the AI challenge for Mittelstand businesses

What opportunities does artificial intelligence (AI) offer small and medium-sized enterprises? What framework conditions favour its application in companies? In the current podcast ‘The rise of Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for SMEs’, internationally renowned entrepreneurship …

SMEs, climate protection and digitalisation. How rele-vant is regulatory policy to the challenges we currently face?

Regulatory policy is often neglected in the debate about the challenges of the digital transformation and the fight against climate change. But how relevant is regulatory policy to the challenges we currently face?

These questions will be discussed from various perspectives by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. …

Why The EU internal market is important for the international companies in Germany

Many Mittelstand enterprises are involved in global value chains as suppliers – or even as lead companies. Due to the growing geopolitical crises, this integration becoming increasingly risky.

Researchers at the IfM Bonn have therefore analysed the question of how Mittelstand enterprises in …

Doing business under difficult conditions – These framework conditions help entrepreneurs

Currently, we are living in a time of multiple crises making the environment chal-lenging for entrepreneurs. In the podcast, renowed researchers from all over Europe present their research results about the framework conditions that entrepreneurs need to cope with their current situation.

New IfM podcast "Fit for change?"

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged companies first, followed by the economic consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine in February 2022. The Mittelstand enterprises are also faced with the task of pushing ahead with both the Digital and Ecological Transformation.

Entrepreneurship researchers use …

How SMEs are perceiving climate change - responding to it

More than three-quarters of small and medium-sized enterprises expect climate change's consequences, such as extreme weather events and the transformation to a more sustainable economy, will impact their business activities. The scope for concrete action depends on the extent to which they have been …

The Mittelstand and the Green Deal

Greenhouse gas emissions in Europe will be reduced by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. Business enterprises play an important role in this. However, although they are, in principle, willing to do business more sustainably, the green transformation remains a challenge.

Entrepreneurship researchers from …

Questions and answers about business succession

The IfM researchers estimate that by 2026, around 38,000 companies will be up for transfer each year because their owners are retiring from management due to age, illness or death. Daughters or sons are not always willing to take on responsibility over the family business. What are the reasons for …

Covid 19: What can we learn from SME policy in other European countries

Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected SMEs worldwide in unprecedented ways. Seven renowned entrepreneurship researchers from all over Europe presented their research at the IfM Bonn-organised International Roundtable on SMEs at the end of 2021. The podcast reflects the lessons learned and …

SMEs in Europe after the pandemic and in view of the Green Deal

The Covid pandemic has been challenging SMEs in Europe for 2 years. What conclusions can be drawn from dealing with the pandemic for future challenges such as digitalisation and sustainable business? Prof Friederike Welter (IfM Bonn/Universität Siegen), Prof. Ute Stephan (King´s College/London, UK), …

How to counteract bureaucratic frustration

Businesses criticise the high density of regulation repeatedly, and they also question the sense of many bureaucratic regulations.

In the podcast "How to reduce bureaucratic fatigue in businesses", Dr Annette Icks explains why companies perceive many bureaucratic requirements as a burden. At the …

What can we learn from the Covid crisis?

How does the Covid pandemic affect small and medium-sized enterprises? Which economic policy measures can strengthen their resilience in the future?

Prof. Dr. Friederike Welter (IfM Bonn/University of Siegen), Prof. Dr. Ute Stephan (King's College, UK), Prof. Dr. David B. Audretsch (Indiana …

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